Releasable self-fastening button.



E. l. JAFFE.

RELEASABLE SELF FASTENING BUTTON; APPLICATION FILED vic. 1s. lari.

l ,277, 595 l Patented Sept. 3, 19L8.

EDWARDY Laarne, OFNEW YORK, N. Y.

RELEASABL'E SELF-FASTENING BUTTON.

Application filed December 18,4917.

To all whom z'mag/ concern 1 Be it known that I, EDWARD I. JAFFE, acitizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county ofBronx and State r0f New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Releasable Self- Fastening Buttons; and Ido herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying-drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon,which form a partofthis specification.

The present invention has reference, generally, to improvementsinreleasable selffastening button for garments, and the like; and thepresent invention relates, more particularly, to novelv improvements inthe construction and arrangement ofparts of a releasable self-fasteningbutton of the general type patented by myself'and Elias Jae in previousLetters Patent of the United States, dated vNoven'lber 7th, 1916, No.1,204,159.

The present invention has for its principal object to provide a morecompact arrangement of the. `novel vreleasable `self-fastening parts,and to further providean arrangement of said partsthat will operate tohold the button against-twisting or turning, so that when such buttonsare usedwith military or-other uniforms, and for such use bear insigniaor designs on their faces, the said insignia or designs are alwaysmaintained right side up so thattheyi are readily discerned. And,furthermore, the novel fastening means is so devised that not only isturning, swiveling orI twistingl ofthe button thereon prevented, butsuch turning, etc., being prevented, lessens, and in fact substantiallyeliminates, the wear of the fastening devices on the cloth" ofthegarment to which they are attached, thus also pres venting the buttonfromsagging or hanging loosely down upon the face of the garment, andtherefore assuring and maintaining the snug, tightlyrsecured, squarelyoutwardly faced arrangement of the button upon the garment.

Another 'obj ect of the present invention is to provide van ii'nprovedconstruction ofreleasable spring gripping jaws, adapted tobe opened orreleased by the insertion ofa needle or other sharp instrument` therebe-Speccaton of Letters Eatent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

serial iva-207,754. i

tween, and being so constructed that pulling strains `upon the buttonwill be prevented from distorting or bending out of proper shape saidjaws.

@ther objectsof the present invention, not at this time moreparticularly enumerated, will be clearlyfunderstood from the followingdetaileddescription of the same. lVith the various objects of my presentinvention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novelconstruction ofreleasable self-fastening button hereinafter set forth;and the `invention consists, furthermore, in the novel 'arrangements andcombinations of the various devices and parts as well as in the details`of the construction of the said parts, all of which will be hereinaftermore fully described, and then finally embodied in the claims appendedhereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure l is a vertical cross section through the complete buttonas the same appears when in fastened relation to a gar ment or the like;and Fig. 2 is a horizontal `section, taken on line 2 2 in said Fig. l,

looking downward.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical cross section'of the lower portion of thebutton showing the releasable self-fastening parts thereof, the springgripping jaw devices being shown in elevation, and said view being drawnon an enlarged scale; Fig. a is a similar detail 'vertical transversesection, taken on line el-et 1in said Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail vertical transverse section, similar to that shown in Fig. 4, butillustrating the manner of releasing the fastening devices of thebutton; Fig. G is a detail vertical cross section, smnlar to that shownin Fig. 3, but 1llus- Vtrat-ing a slightly modified construct-ion ofmeans for securing the spring grippingjaws in proper assembled position;and Fig. 7 is a -face View ofa blank from which the novel springgripping jaw devices may be formed.

Fig. S` is a detaillongitudinal section` showing a slightly modifiedconstruction of the releasable spring gripping jaw devices; and Fig. 9is a detail vertical transverse section through the same, taken on line9-9 in said Fig. 8.'

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabovedescribed views, to indicate corresponding parts.

`Referring now to said drawings, the ref erence character l indicatesthe complete novel construction oi releasable self-fastening button madeaccording to and embodying the principlesoi my present invention, thesaine comprising a back-plate or shell 2, provided at its marginal edgewith an upwardly turned flange or rim 3. Said backplate or shell 2 isfurther provided with a centrally disposed downwardly or outwardlyprojecting hollow boss 4 which providesa centrallv disposed chamber orwell 5, provided in its bottom wall 6 with a centrally disposed opening7 giving access thereinto of a releasing instrument, and being furtherprovided, in diametrical alinement with said opening 7, with a pair ofshank openings or passages 8 and 8, one at each side of said opening 7.

The reference character 9 indicates a face or cover-shell, preferably ofconcavo-convex form, and provided at its marginal edge with a downwardlyturned flange or rim 10. Said face or cover-shell may be covered with anornamental covering 11 of any desired kind, or it may have embossedthereon or have otherwise applied thereto, or to its covering, a desiredinsignia or design. The marginal iiange or rim 10 of said face orcover-shell is engaged over said marginal iiange or rim 3 of saidback-plate or shell 2 in secured relation to the latter.

The reference character 12 indicates the main body or base-plate ofspring gripping jaws device, the same having at each end a tongueportion or extension 13, and at its opposite sides, and integrallyformed therewith, a pair of spring j aw-members 14, the side marginaledges 15 of which curve outwardly from their point of connection withsaid main body or base-plate so as to provide a suliicient width of freegripping edges 16. The said spring jaw-members 14 are bent upwardly andinwardly toward each other from said main body or base-plate 12, so thattheir free gripping edges 16 converge toward each other. Connected witheach gripping edge, intermediate its ends, is' an integrally formeddownwardly turned lip 17, which is normally vertically disposed, andwhich terminates slightly short oll the surface of said main body orbase-plate 12. The said lips 17 are thus disposed opposite each otherand longitudinally parallel, the same being normally slightly separatedonev from the other. Said main body or base-plate 12 is provided with acentrally disposed opening 18, and on each side -thereoi' shank openingsor passages 19 and 19. Said opening 18 is alined beneath the ends oit'said lips 17, and said openings or passages 19 and 19 are alined beneaththe gripping edges 16 of thejaw-members 14. Said main body or base-plate12 is inserted within said chamber or well 5 formed by the hollow b'oss4 in such a position that its respective openings 18, 19 and 19 areregistered with the respective openings 7, 8 and main body orbase-plate. In order to prevent lateral twisting or turning movement ofsaid main body or base-plate 12, which would tend to displace saidopenings 18, 19 and 19', and the gripping edges 16 of the jaw-members 14alined above said openings, from properly associated registration with`the openings 7, 8 and 8 of the bottom wall of said chamber or wellsimilar holdingv ribs or lips 21 are pressed inwardly from the oppositeside walls of said hollow boss 4. in holding engagement with the lowerside portions of said jaw-members 14, as

shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings.'

. The reference characters 22 and 22 indicate a pair of diametricallyspaced threaded Shanks, which are secured to and extend upwardly from asuitable head or anchor flange 23. The free endsof said shanks areground to sharpened points to provide piercing points 24 and 24. Saidshanks are so spaced apart, that when 'the same are presented againstthe bottom wall of said hollow boss 4, they will respectively enter theopenings 8 and 8', and also extend through the'alined openings 19 and 19of the main body orbase-plate 12, and then upwardly Abetween thegripping edges 16 of the jaw- .members 14. Said head or anchor flange 23is further provided with a releasing instrument opening 25 which alinesitself vertically with the openings 7 and 18 of the boss 4 and main bodyor base-plate 12 respectively. While I have stated that the said shanks22 and 22 are threaded, it must be understood that such threads arespecified only as one convenient means for roughening the shanks toproperly receive the gripping action of the jaw-members 14, and that`other means of roughening the said shanks may be employed, such as byproviding the same with transverse annular grooves, or by tile cntsurfaces, or, in fact, in any other convenient or desirable manner.

In securing-the button ito the cloth 26 of a garment or other anti-cle,the piercing points v24 and 24 of the Shanks 22 and 22 are thrustthrough the cloth until the head or anchor flange 23 is brought upagainst the innerside thereof. The free ends of the Shanks 22V and 22are then respectively passed through the alined shank passages 8 and 8and 19 and 19, respectively, of the boss 4 and main body or base-plate12, upwardly between the opposed gripping edges lll) param 16 ofthespringjaw-Inembers.14, Ysaid edges 16, owingto the` upwardly inclineddisposition ofthe spring' jaw-members 14, readily yielding to thepassa-geef the roughened surface of said Shanks therebetween in saidupward direction, since movement ofl the Shanks, in said upwarddirection tends to spring the jawfmembers 14 apart. IVhen, however, itis sought to pull either` the button off of the Shanks, or the Shanksout of the button, the engagement of roughened surface of the Shankswith the gripping. edges. tends to move the spring, jaw-membersdownward, and since the latter are inclined upwardly, theSaidgrippingedges are caused to move toward each other in the. attemptof the spring jaw-members toudescribe the are of movement about theirfixed edges, and consequently it follows that said gripping edges 16 aremore firmlyv than ever forced into holding or binding engagement withthe roughened surfaces. of said4 Shanks. Therefore the greater the pullor` strain upon the button, the greater is .the resistance offeredthereto bythe gripping edges 16 of the jaw-members 14, hence-anexceedingly secure fastening of the. button to the ,garment or otherarticle is provided. In order .to provide a still firmer engagement ofthe gripping edges 16 with the. Shanks 22 and 22 the former may beindented, as at 27, to conform substantially to` the cylindrical oryother contour` ofthe shanks, `thus assuring a .greater portion of saidgripping edges vin engagement with Said Shanks.

Since there are two Shanks. provided, spaced laterally one,v from theother, and since each `shank pierces the. cloth-26 separately, itfo-llowsthat, thel Shanks cannot 4turn inthe cloth, since. one shankobstructs 'the turning of the other, consequently, the button cannortswivel or turn on the cloth, nor can the buttonitself swivel or turnV onthe shanks, `since each shank is separat-ely engaged, at a point off-setfrom the center of ythe button, by fthe` jaw-,members 14.1 It thereforefollows thatbuttons bearing special insignia or. designs `on theirfaces, once being fastened to properly present said insignia or designscannot be twisted or turned to displace the. latter from proper`presentation; nor can a swiveling orl turningrof the shanks in the`cloth. so wear the latter that the pierced 'hole is enlarged to theextent permitting the` button to droopA from properly fastened position,as so frequently happens with single Shank buttons. For these reasonsthe button provides an exceedingly efficient and neat button formilitaryand. other uniforms.

I wish also to call` attention .to the fact that since the" lips 17,depending from the edges of the jaw-.members 14, extend downwardlyalmost to theinain body or baseT platelQ, theyserve asfstops by engagingthe latter when Apulling for-ce` on the button tends to spring togetherand downwardly the jaw-nremlbers 14, thus linril ling 'such lownwardmovement of the jaw-members to that necessary to the firm engagementthereof with the Shanks Q2 `and 22', but preventing such downwardmovement being forced to Jthe point where improper distortion of theySpring jaw-members beyond proper recovery is effected. This function ofthe lips is important., and is in addition to their function of coactingwith a releasing instrument below described.

In order to release the fastening means of the button from normalholding engagement, so that the button may be removed from the Shanks'2v2 and 22', and consequently from the garment or `article t0 which itis attached, I employ a sharpened releasin-g instrument 28, such forexample as an ordinary sewing needle or an awl, or 'the like. The sharppiercing end of such instrument is inserted through the opening 25 insaid head or anchor flange Q3, and then thrust through the cloth 26 sothat the same passes 'through the registered openings 7 and 1Srespectively of the boss 4 and main body or base-plate 12, and thenceupwardly between the opposed lips 17. In Ithus passing between the lips1T the spring jaw-'members yield tothe thrust, permitting the instrumentto pass between the same 'to not only separate the jaw-members but toalso hold them so separated, Vtha-t the gripping edges 1G are removedfrom their normal engagement with the Shanks and 22. and consequentlyliberating lthe shanks so that the button may be pulled away :from thesame, or the Shanks pulled out of the button, all of which is:illustrated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings.

Referring now to Fig. 6 of the drawings I'have illustrated therein aslightly modified construction of means for retaining the springgripping jaw devices in fixed relation to the chamber or well formed bythe boss 4. In this construction in place of the ribs or lips 2O and 21,I provide a cap-piece orshell 29, having' a downwardly extendingmarginal flange 30. Said cap-piece orshell 29 is thrust into the chamberor well so as to cover said gripping jaw devices, and so that themarginal flange 80 presses down in holding engagement upon theextensions 13 of the main body or base-plate 1Q. Said cap-piece itselfis held in place by means of an inwardly pressed holding rib'31 pressedout of the wall of said boss 4. Saidrcappiece is also provided withopeningsI 82 through which the shanks 22 and 22 and instrument 28 mayextend.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9 I have illustrated therein a slightlymodified construction4 of gripping jaws device. In this construction Iprovide an inverted V-shaped base 33 secured within the well. or chamber5 of the boss el by means of holding ribs 3S. Integrally connected withsaid base 33, are the spring jaw-members 3d, and bent into upward andinward inclination, so as to normally parallel said V-shaped base and tobe spaced normally slightl.,Y away therefrom, The converging edges ofthe jawmembers 3l have the gripping edges 35 for engaging the shanks 22and "22', and turned upwardly from one of said gripping edges 35 is alip 3G, the other or opposite gripping edge having .no such lip. In thisconstruction downward strains upon the jaw-members tending ltoalmoinntlly distort the same, are prevented by lthe stopped Contact ofsaid jaw-members with the surfaces of said V-shaped base. Tl earrangement for introducing the releasing instrument QS is modiiied,since in this construction the. releasing instrument opening 3T isformed in the side wall of said boss -il opposite the inward face of thelip 36. By insertilrel the instrument 28 through said opening Staindthence against the lip 3G to apply pressure thereto, the avv-member 3lto which the lip 36 is connected, is forced away from the shanks 22 and22', so that by slightly iuclining the shanks away from the opposite jaw-member 34.-, the same may be freed .from the latter and then removedfrom between the air-members, thus uufastening the but.- ton.

While in the above sliecitication I have mentioned metallic and clothcovered button faces, it must be understood that mv button back, withits novel releasable selffastening devices, may be readily adapted forattachment to the backs of any kind of button desired, such as pearl,stone, bone, composition, or any other kind of button face.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the several arrangements andcombinations of the various devices and parts of my novel button, aswell as in the details of the construction of the same, withoutdeparting from the scope of said invention as set forth in the foregoingspecification, and as defined in the appended claims. I do not limit myinvention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the severaldevices and parts as described in the foregoing specication nor do Iconfine myself to the exact details of construction of said parts asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1. In a. device of the kind described, a back-plate having acentrally chambered portion therein; a spring-gripping jaws devicesecured within said chambered portion, comprising a pair of upwardlyinclined converging spring jaw-members; an anchor- I-Ience,y

ment with said shanks.

In a device of the kind described, a back-plate having a centrallychambered 4Jortion therein; a sirino' Ori )ing 'aws deb D r vice securedwithin said chambered portion;` comprising a pair of upwardly inclinedconverging spring jaw-members; an anchorhead, a pair of sharp pointedroughened shankg secured to and extending upwardly from said anchor-headin laterally spaced relation `to each other; means giving said Shanksaccess to the interior of said chambered portion for their admissionupwardly between and in engagement with said jawmembers, meanspermitting a releasing instrument access to said jaw-members to separatethe same from holding engagement with said shanks; and means forstopping' said spring jaw-members against abnormal distortional movementdue to pulling strains when engager` with said Shanks.

3. In a device of the kind described, a back-plate having a centraltyrchambered port-ion therein, a spring gripping jaws dcvice, comprising abase-plate, a pair of upwardly inclined converging spring awmembersextending from the sides of said base-plate, indented gripping edges atthe free ends of said jaw-members; means for securing said base-plate infixed relation to said chambered portion ofsaid back-plate; ananchor-head, a pair of sharp pointed roughened shanks secured to andextending' upwardly from said anchor-head in laterally spaced relationto each other; means giving said Shanks access to the interior of saidchambered portion of said back-plate for their admission upwardlybetween said spring jaw-members and in engagement with said indentedgripping edges of the latter; and means permitting a releasinginstrument access to said j aw-members to separate the same and liberatesaid Shanks from engagement with said indented gripping edges of said jlnav-members.

1i. In a device of the kind described, a back-plate having a centrallychambered portion therein; a spring gripping jaws device, comprising abase-plate, a pair of upwardly inclined converging spring jaw-, membersextending from the sides of said base-plate, indented gripping edges atthe free ends of said jaw-members; means for securing said base-plate infixed relation to said chambered portion of said back-plate;

an anchor-head, a pair of sharp pointed roughened shanks secured to andextending upwardly from said anchor-head in laterally spaced relation toeach other; means giving said shanks access to the interior of saidchambercd portion `oi said back-plate ior their admission upwardlybetween said spring jaw-members and in engagement with said indentedgripping edges or' the latter; and means permitting a releasinginstrument access to said jaw-members to separate the same and liberatesaid shanks l'rom engagement with said indented gripping edges of saidjaw-members; and means for stopping said spring jaw-members againstabnormal distortional movement due to pulling strains when engaged withsaid Shanks.

5. In a device of the kind described, a

back-plate having a. centrally chambered,

portion therein; a spring gripping jaws device comprising a base-plate,a pair of upwardly inclined converging spring awmembers extending fromthe sides of said base-plate, longitudinally opposite end extensionsconnected with said base-plate, downwardly extending lips connected withthe free edges of said jaw-members intermediate their ends, said lipsbeing opposed and spaced slightly apart and terminating short of saidbase-plate; ribs formed in the sides of said chambered portion of saidbackplate in retaining engagement with said eX- tensions o saidbase-plate; an anchor-head, a pair of sharp pointed roughened shankssecured to and extending upwardly from said anchor-head in laterallyspaced relation to each other; means giving said shanks access to theinterior of said chambered portion of said back-plate for theiradmission upwardly between said spring jaw-members and in engagementwith the latter on either side of said lips; and means permitting areleasing instrument access to and between said lips of said jaw-membersto separate the latter and disengage the same from said Shanks.

6. In a device of the kind described, a back-plate having a centrallychambered portion therein; a spring gripping aws device comprising abase-plate, a pair of upwardly inclined converging spring jawmembersextending from the sides of said base-plate, longitudinally opposite endextensions connected with said base-plate, downwardly extending lipsconnected with the free edges of said j aw-members intermediate theirends, said lips being opposed and spaced slightly apart and terminatingshort of said base-plate; ribs formed in the sides of said chamberedportion of said back-plate in retaining engagement with said extensionsof said base-plate; and similar ribs formed in the sides of saidchamberel portion of said back-plate at right angles to said iirstmentioned-ribs and adapted to engage the sides ol" said base-plate an dits jaw-niembers to hold the same against lateral displacement; ananchor-head, a pair of sharp pointed roughened Shanks secured to andextending upwardly from said anchor-head in laterally spaced relation toeach other; means giving `said shanks access to the interior of saidchambercd portion oli said back-plate for Atheir admission upwardlybetween said spring jaw-members and in engagement with the latter oneither side off said lips; and means permitting' a releasing instrumentaccess to and between said lips of said jaw-members to separate thelatter and disengage the same from said shanks.

7. In a device of the kind described, a back-plate having a centrallydisposed outwardly extending hollow boss; a spring gripping jaws devicesecured within said boss, comprising a base-plate havinga pair or'upwardly and inwardly inclined converging spring jaw-members terminatingin opposed gripping edges7 downwardly extending lips intermediate of theends of each gripping edge of said j aw-members, said lips beingvertically pa allel and spaced slightly and oppositely apart; an anchorhead, a pair of laterally spaced shanks having roughened surfacessecured to and extending upwardly from said anchor head each shankterminating in a piercing point, said anchor head having a centrallydisposed releasing instrument opening; said base-plate of said grippingjaws device and said bottoni wall of said hollow boss having registeredopenings for the admission of said shanks upwardly between and inengagement with said gripping edges ot said jaw-members; and saidback-plate having a centrally disposed outwardly extending hollow boss;a spring gripping jaws device secured within said boss, comprising abase-plate having a pair of upwardly and inwardly inclined convergingspring jaw members terminating in opposed gripping edges, downwardlyextending lips intermediate of the ends oit each gripping edge of saidjaw-members, said lips being vertically parallel and spaced slightly andoppositely apart; an anchor head, a pair of laterally spaced shankshaving roughened surfaces secured to and extending upwardly from saidanchor head each shank terminating in a piercing point, said anchor headhaving a centrally disposed releasing instrument opening; saidbase-plate of said gripping jaws device and said bottom wall of saidhollow boss having registered openings for the admission oi said shanksupwardly between and in engagement with said gripping edges of saidjaw-members; and said base-plate of said gripping jaws device and saidbottom wall of said hollow boss having centrally disposed registeredopenings alined between said central opening of said anchor-head andsaid lips of said j aw-men'lbers for the admission oi' a releasinginstrument upwardly between said lips of said jaw-members to separatethe gripping edges of the latter from engagement with said Shanksinwardly pressed ribs formed in Copies of this patent may be obtainedfor the side walls of said hollow boss for engaging the longitudinallyopposite ends of said base-plate to retain the latter against vertioaldisplacement; and inwardly pressed ribs formed in the side walls of saidhollow boss at right angles to said first mentioned ribs for engagingthe sides of said base-plate and ve cents each, by addressing the"Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

